Laterally movable doors



July 24, 1962 w. A. BEAUCHAMP 3,045,295

LATERALLY MOVABLE nooRs Filed Sept. lO. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 LT j.

2 u 2 3 o o 3 n Il o o g Lixe- 3 l L i. l

INVENTOR.

I W/LFEED 6. 55mm-HMP BY W Fama,

@TTY

July 24, 1962 w. A. BEAUCHAMP 3,045,295

LATERALLY MovABLE: nooRs 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l0. 1959 so 75313, z

INVENTDR. W/L Ffa-'ED Bmw/MMP BY M w @TTY July 24, 1962 w. A. BEAUCHAMP 3,045,295

LATERALLY MOVABLE DOORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. l0. 1959 JNVENToR. W/L FRED 6. BEHUc/-leMP BY MM @TTY July 24, 1962 w. A. BEAUCHAMP 3,045,295

LATERALLY MOVABLE DOORS Filed Sept. lO, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l4 W/LF/en 6. .55am/MMP IgM/@mld f77-TY States This invention vrelates 4to laterally movable doors for railway cars and more particularly to constructions for preventing upward vmovement thereof upon impact to the cars.

It is an object of this invention to provide laterally movable doors for railway cars which shall cooperate with members carried by the cars to prevent upward `movement of the doors when they are closed wherein the cooperative relationship shall be established bythe lateral movement ofthe doors into door vopenings formed in the side walls of the cars.

A further object is to provide laterally movable doors for railway cars which shall carry means adapted to cooperate with members carried by the cars 'to prevent upward movement of the doors when they are closed.

A further obiect is to provide laterally movable doo-rs of the character set forth immediately above wherein the means shall serve as reinforcements for the doors.

A further object is to provide laterally movable doors for railway cars wherein the doors shall carry means and locking devices at the front edge thereof which shall cooperate with the same members secured to the cars to prevent upward and outward movements of the front edge of the doors when they are closed.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

FIG. l is an elevation of a portion of a side wall of a railway car having `a main :sliding door and an auxiliary laterally movable door and illustrating 'one form of the instant invention, parts being broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the lower forward corner of the door and the adjacent portion of the carA side and illustrating -the instant form of the invention, a part being broken away.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, parts being omitted.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 2, a part being broken away to more clearly illustrate the invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation similar to FIG. 1 showing another form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation similar to FIG. 2 of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section Italren on line 8 8 of FIG. 6.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1-4 the reference numeral 10 designates a portion of a side wall of a railway car provided with a wide door opening 11. The door opening is closed by means of a main door 12 of any desired construction slidable longitudinally of the oar on the outside of the side wall It) upon a track 13 and an auxiliary door 14 of any desired construction also slidable longitudinally upon the track 13 after it has been moved laterally out of the door opening 11 in which it is seated when closed. The main l door 12 slides to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and-the auxiliary door sli-des to the lett to expose the dooropening.

Any desired mechanism may be used to move the aurdliary door 14 laterally into and out of the door opening. The mechanism illustrated generally embodies a rnechanical advantage device 15 and a pair of vertical roan upward movement of the grain.

.'iigd Patented July 2d, lihd tatable pipes, one of which is shown at 16 `provided at their upper and lower ends with cranks such yas 17 and 18. The upper 'cranks cooperate with a top retainer 19 to -prevent the upper portion nom `alling off the car. The lower cranks 18 are journalled in roller hangers, one of which is shown at 20, which slidably support the lauxiliary door 14 for longitudinal movement upon track 13. The construction of the mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the auxiliary door forms no particular part of the invention.

When the doors are closed they are locked together by a lock indicated generally by the reference numeral 21. At this time the forward margin of the main door 12 is received in the front stop 22 carried by the front marginal portion of the auxiliary door 14 in the usual manner.

Railway cars equipped with the doors briefly described hereinabove are used to transport grain as well as other commodities. In particular when the commodity is grain great pressure is exerted against the inside of the auxiliary door which lies flush with the sidewall tending to force it laterally out of the door opening. This pressure is resisted by any desired means at the front and rear vertical margins of the door which secure the door to the car. The securing means illustrated in applicants Patent 2,834,067, granted May 13, 1958, incorporated herein by reference is preferred. As shown in this patent the securing means for the front vertical margin of the auxiliary door comprises upper and lower vertically sliding locking bolts. The lower locking bolt 23 is illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings of the instant application. p

Moreover, when the commodity carried by these cars is grain, blows against the cars occurring when they are struck or upon sudden application of the brakes produce I have discovered that this upward movement of the grain, which is substantially duid in its motion, produces an upward movement of the front margin of the auxiliary door. The pressure of the grain against the auxiliary door is such that this margin of the auxiliary door is maintained in raised position thereby promoting the loss of grain.

The instant invention prevents the deleterious eifect of the grain upon the auxiliary door. In the considered form 0i the invention a member 24, preferably in the form 'of a casting, is secured as by means of welding to the lower portion of the front stop 22 fastened to the front vertical margin of the auxiliary door. The front stop is formed to provide laterally alined inner and outer channels 25 and 26. Channel 25 faces rearwardly and receives the member 24. Channel 26 faces forwardly and receives the front vertical margin of the main door when the doors are closed.

The member 24 extends along lthe lower part of channel 25 and serves to reinforce this part. At its lower end the member 24 is projected forwardly as shown at 27 so as to extend beyond the front stop 22. To permit this projection the lower part of channel 25 is removed as shown more clearly in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the draw.- lngs.

T he instant form of the invention also provides a member 28, preferably in the form of a casting, which is secured to the side sill structure 29 of the car and cooperates with member 24 to prevent upward movement of the front vertical margin of the auxiliary door when it is closed. As shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings the front vertical margin of the auxiliary door is reinforced by an inwardly extending Z-shaped'bar Sli riveted to the door. The inner flange 3l of this reinforcement is spaced laterally from the front stop 22 and together therewith defines a space in which a guide casting 32 for the sliding bolt 23 of the locking device hereinabove referred to is received. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings the lower portion of the inner flange 31 of the Z-shaped reinforcing bar 30 is removed as indicated at 33 so that it terminates above the member 23. Thus the reinforcing bar offers no interference to the lateral movement of the auxiliary door into and out of the door opening.

The member 28 embodies a vertical liange 34. A horizontal flange 35 projects forwardly from ange 34 adjacent to the top edge thereof. Flange 35 extends along flange 34 and adjacent to the forward edge of the latter turns downwardly and inwardly to provide a flange 36. At its lower edge flange 36 is extended outwardly into a ange 37 under which the projection 27 lies when the auxiliary door is closed as shown more clearly in FIG- URE 2.

A horizontal iiange 38 extends forwardly from the lower portion of flange 34. Flange 38 rests upon the side sill structure 29 as shown in FIGURE 3. At its outer end flange 38 is provided with a down-turned flange 39 which bears against the side sill structure, 4t) extends between flanges 37 and 39.

At the rear of the member 28 the Vertical flange 34 terminates above the side sill structure at a rearwardly extending horizontal wall 41 which forms the bottom of a keeper portion of member 28 adapted to receive the locking bolt 23. The keeper portion is completed by a wall 42 which extends upwardly from wall 41 to a downwardly and outwardly sloping wall 43 adapted to cooperate with the similarly sloping nose 44 of the locking bolt 23 to automatically raise the locking bolt as the auxiliary door moves laterally into the door opening. A supporting vertical wall 45 extends downwardly from wall 41 and rests upon the side sill structure.

The horizontal flange 35 supports the adjacent end of a threshold plate 46 secured in the door opening for the main door so that the horizontal flange 47 of the threshold plate is ilush with the top edge of the vertical iiange 34.

To close the auxiliary door 14 it is moved along the track 1'3 until it lies in front of the door opening 11. The operating mechanism is then actuated and the door is moved laterally into the door opening. During this movement the projection 27 of the member 24 passes under the horizontal flange 37 of the member 2S. At the same time the sloping nose of the lower locking bolt 23 rides up the sloping wall 43 of the member 28 and drops into the keeper portion of member 28. The overlapping engagement of projection 27 with horizontal wall 37 prevents upward movement of the forward margin of the auxiliary door, and the engagement between locking bolt 23 and vertical wall 42 prevents outward movement of this margin. Loss of grain is thereby prevented.

Another form of the invention for preventing upward movement of the auxiliary door is illustrated in FIG- URES to 8 of the drawing. In this form a plate 48 is secured to the lower forward corner of the auxiliary door. The door panel 49 is offset outwardly as shown at 50 to overlap the plate 48. 'Ihe plate projects forwardly beyond the door panel as shown at 51 and engages and reinforces the front stop 22 as shown at 52. Plate 48 also projects downwardly below the panel as shown at 53. An opening 54 is formed in the projecting portion 53.

The side sill structure is designated by the reference numeral 55. The vertical leg 56 of an angle member 57 is secured in any desired manner to the side sill structure so that the horizontal leg 58 thereof projects laterally.

A locking device embodying the lower vertically sliding locking bolt 23 is carried by the forward margin of the auxiliary door. Locking bolt 23 is adapted to be received in a keeper (not shown) secured to the side sill structure in the manner hereinabove set forth in connection with the first described form of the invention.

`In closing the auxiliary door of the considered form of the invention it is moved along the track 13 until it lies in front of the door opening. Actuation of the door A reinforcing rib i operating mcchanism forces the door laterally into the door opening. During lateral movement of the door the horizontal leg 58 of angle member 57 is projected through the opening 54 provided in the plate 48. Cooperation between the plate 4S and angle member 57 prevents upward movement of the auxiliary door.

Locking bolt 23 is engaged with its keeper when the door is closed and prevents outward movement of the door. Loss of grain is prevented.

The described forms of the invention have been illustrated in connection with the laterally movable auxiliary door of a door combination involving such a door and a sliding door. The invention, however, is not limited in use to such a door combination, but it applicable as well to single lateral movable doors, that is, laterally movable doors used without straight sliding doors.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in the details of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that all such modiiications and changes be comprehended within this invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. In a railway car having a side wall provided with a door opening and a main longitudinally sliding door and an auxiliary laterally movable door for closing the door opening, said auxiliary door when closed lying in the door opening, said auxiliary door carrying a front stop at the front margin thereof, said front stop projecting laterally outward of said auxiliary door, said front stop engaging said main door in outwardly spaced relationship to said auxiliary door when said doors are closed, a member secured to the lower portion of said front stop, said member having a flange projecting forwardly beyond said front stop, and a member secured to said car, said flange moving under said second member as said auxiliary door is moved laterally into the door opening, said members cooperating when said door is closed to prevent upward movement of said auxiliary door.

2. In a railway car having a side wall provided with a door opening and a main longitudinally sliding door and an auxiliary laterally movable door for closing the door opening, said auxiliary door when closed lying in the door opening, said auxiliary door carrying a front stop extending outwardly therefrom and having rearwardly and forwardly opening channels, said forwardly opening channel receiving the front edge of the main door when the doors are closed, a member secured to the lower portion of said front stop in said rearwardly opening channel, said member having a iiange projecting forwardly beyond said front stop, and a member secured to said car, said flange moving under said second member as said auxiliary door is moved laterally into the door opening, said members cooperating to prevent upward movement of said auxiliary door.

3. In a railway car having a side wall provided with a door opening and a main longitudinally sliding door and an auxiliary laterally movable door for closing the door opening, said auxiliary door when closed lying in the door opening, said auxiliary door carrying a front vertical lock and a front stop at the front margin thereof, said front stop projecting laterally outward of said auxiliary door, said front stop engaging said main door in outwardly spaced relationship to said auxiliary door when said doors are closed, a member secured to the lower portion of said front stop, said member having a flange projecting forwardly beyond said front stop, and a keeper secured to said car, said flange moving under said keeper and said lock engaging said keeper as said auxiliary door is moved laterally into the door opening, said lock and said keeper cooperating to prevent outward movement of said auxiliary door when said auxiliary door has been moved laterally into the door opening, said flange and keeper cooperating to prevent upward movement of said auxiliary door,

4. In a railway car having a side wall provided with a door opening, a door, means on said door mounting said door on said car, said means being operable to impart lateral movement to said door into and out of the door opening,k a member secured to said car below the door opening, and a member carried by said door, said latter member extending downwardly below the lower edge of said door, said downwardly extending portion of said latter member moving into vertical interlocking relationship with said rst member as said door is moved laterally into the door opening and cooperating therewith to prevent upward movement of said door.

5. In a railway car having a side wall provided with a door opening, a door, means on said door mounting said door on said car, said means being operable to impart llateral movement to Said door into and'out of the door opening, a member secured to said car below the door opening, said member having an outwardly extending flange, a plate member secured to said door, said plate member extending ddwnwardly below the lower edge of said door, said downwardly extending portion of said plate member having an opening therethrough, said ange being projected through the opening in said plate member as said door is moved laterally into the door opening, said ange cooperating with said plate member to prevent upward movement of said door.

References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 521,296 Ransome June 12, 1894 828,658 Hussey Aug. 14, 1906 937,810 Hussey Oct. 26, 1909 1,314,978 Nelson Sept. 2, 1919 1,356,257 Brodhage Oct. 19, 1920 1,369,229 Fahrenbruch Feb. 22, 1921 1,468,019 Guerrant Sept. 18, 1923 2,264,104 Voss Nov. 25, 1941 

